Ministry of Interior Mobilizes Against Real Estate Lobbying
According to reliable sources, the Ministry of Interior has been alerted following reports from the "Internal Affairs" sections in various regions, including Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Fès-Meknès, and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima. These reports have highlighted suspicious activities by real estate and construction investment lobbies targeting dilapidated buildings and commercial properties slated for closure and demolition due to their precarious structural integrity, as confirmed by technical assessments conducted by specialized consulting firms.
The buildings in question are often embroiled in disputes among heirs, primarily due to the absence of original owners or their demise without resolving the legal status of these properties. This situation has impeded necessary renovation and maintenance efforts, compelling authorities to take stringent actions to safeguard public safety.
It has been noted that intermediaries have exploited this legal vacuum, navigating between the disputing heirs and investment entities in search of ways to sell these properties despite their ambiguous status. They are taking advantage of the strategic locations of these properties within commercial and administrative districts.
In response to the new reports, the central administration of territorial governance is initiating comprehensive administrative investigations to assess the monitoring mechanisms in place for tracking buildings at risk of collapse and ensuring compliance with the legal protocols concerning these structures, from technical expertise to the actual implementation of demolition orders.
The recent activities underscore a noticeable escalation in field interventions, as regional offices have pressured local authorities to expedite eviction notices and demolition orders, particularly following the tragic events in Fès and recent adverse weather conditions.
According to our sources, the regional authorities are enhancing the urban monitoring system by employing drone technology to conduct aerial surveys of areas with a concentration of at-risk buildings. This technology allows for high-resolution image analysis, which will be cross-referenced with data from urban agencies and the National Agency for Land Conservation, Cadastre, and Mapping. The objective is to identify zoning violations and uncover illegal constructions, often fueled by fraudulent repair permits, which exacerbate the structural burdens on already precarious buildings.
The central administration has mobilized officials in response to the growing concern over collapsing buildings, prompting governors to issue urgent directives to district chiefs and local councils. These directives call for immediate meetings to discuss the status of at-risk buildings within their jurisdictions, especially in light of the recent calamity that resulted in fatalities and injuries from the collapse of two buildings in Fès.
The meetings aim to inventory the number of at-risk buildings, determine their locations and current technical conditions, and prepare detailed reports on their status for submission to the governors. This initiative will set the stage for subsequent managerial sessions at the level of regional administrative bodies.
As reported, local leaders and district chiefs have been summoned to participate in administrative investigations regarding zoning violations, with instructions to update records of at-risk buildings and apply stricter criteria for assessing structural vulnerability. This assessment will consider the surrounding infrastructure's condition alongside the building's structural state, thereby preventing any lapses during monitoring and enforcement that could benefit real estate lobbies.
As reported by hespress.com.
